Blog: Safety and Health Management Reflection by Leighton Ramsay

Applying Safety Management Principles as a Safety Professional

ramsayleighton2018 — 2025-07-11 21:28:35 UTC

The last few weeks have shown me just how deeply occupational health and safety (OHS) concepts are intertwined with a safe, productive, and ethical work environment. From safety programs to Safety Management Systems (SMS) to proactive hazard identification methods such as system safety analysis, I now have a clearer idea of what effective safety management looks like and how essential these tools are in any professional setting.

🌐 Link: What is a Safety Management System? - FAA Overview

🚧 How Will I Apply These Principles?

ramsayleighton2018 — 2025-07-11 21:28:38 UTC

As a safety professional, I know we can’t afford to be complacent about safety; it impacts not only our operations but also people’s lives. Here are some of the strategies I have used and will continue to apply to my work:

Fostering a Proactive Safety Culture:
This ensures that all employees feel comfortable reporting safety issues, near misses, and hazards. This aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization's definition of safety culture as a core component of effective safety management and promotes responsibility and ownership, resulting in a safer work environment.

Final Thoughts

ramsayleighton2018 — 2025-07-11 21:35:04 UTC

Safety isn't a box to check; it's a way of thinking. Aviation, engineering, logistics... wherever I am, I take pride in helping to build a culture of safety.

🚧How will I apply These Principles? Continued...

ramsayleighton2018 — 2025-07-11 21:59:47 UTC

Utilizing risk assessment tools:
I will apply risk assessment tools such as Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), etc., to identify, analyze, and reduce or eliminate workplace risk hazards proactively.
Applying system safety principles:
I will consider human factors and maintain a systems approach to safety when it comes to hazard identification and mitigation. This means looking at the possible hazards throughout the life cycle of the system and finding design, training, maintenance, and administrative controls to reduce, remove, or monitor these hazards. Safety and error prevention do not start at the operational phase of the system.

🚧How will I apply These Principles? Continued...

ramsayleighton2018 — 2025-07-11 22:09:19 UTC

Following the hierarchy of controls
I will implement hazard controls per the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls. The hierarchy of controls is a system of best practices that arranges types of hazard controls in order of most effective to least effective:
1. Elimination
2. Substitution
3. Engineering Controls
4. Administrative Controls
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

References

ramsayleighton2018 — 2025-07-11 22:12:35 UTC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (n.d.). Hierarchy of controls. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/

Federal Aviation Administration. (2000). System safety handbook. U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/FAA_Order_8040.4A.pdf

International Civil Aviation Organization. (2018). Safety management manual (4th ed., Doc 9859). https://www.icao.int/safety/SafetyManagement/Documents/Doc9859/9859_cons_en.pdf

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Recommended practices for safety and health programs. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/safetymanagement